Tuesday 10 July 2012

Ballmer: We'll Match Apple Every Step Of The Way    [ 10-07-2012 16:40 ]

Author: Serge Novikov   Source: CRN     Translation by: Paul Smith     

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer isn't known for being a shrinking violet and he lived up to his reputation at Microsoft's annual Worldwide Partner Conference in Toronto. In an interview with CRN Ballmer made it abundantly clear what Microsoft's attitude towards Apple was:

We are trying to make absolutely clear we are not going to leave any space uncovered to Apple. We are not going to let any piece [go uncontested]. Not the consumer cloud. Not hardware software innovation. We are not leaving any of that to Aple by itself. Not going to happen. Not on our watch.

Big words. However, upon being asked what Microsoft palnned to do, if anything, about developing its very own smartphone Ballmer wasn't quote so unequivocal. He talked about Microsoft's commitment to the Surface and made sure to mention that Nokia and HTC were good hardware partners. He didn't completely rule out the possibility of Microsoft developing its own handset it has to be noted, but the chances of that in the near term aren't too high. The Surface tablet is the first time Microsoft has developed its very own Windows based device so it's an important step for the company in that respect. Ballmer clearly want to take Apple on directly, but his 'Churchillian' rhetoric aside Microsoft has a lot of work to do to really make that happen.

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Symbolic In More Ways Than One: RIM Selling Private Jet    [ 10-07-2012 16:36 ]

Author: Serge Novikov   Source: Bloomberg     Translation by: Paul Smith     

In a move that is symbolic in more ways than one RIM is looking to ditch one of its two corporate private jets. The company hopes to bag itself around $6 million for the sale of the plane according to Bloomberg, and is part of a wider effort to save RIM $1 billion in annual operating costs. That plan has also seen RIM planning the loss of 5,000 employees whilst others are being asked to give up holiday time and work longer hours. According to Bloomberg the sale of one of its jets would actually only save RIM $2.1 million a year, but of course getting rid of a fancy private plane is a good move in terms of morale at a time when the company is actually letting some of its workforce go. It's symbolic in another way too though ... a sign of a company in trouble and searching for every and any means of keeping its head above water.

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